Zoë McCully
Ms. Peifer
Hour 5
May 28, 2012


Tu Fu Poems: Night Thoughts Afloat

The dominant of this poem is that people can be insignificant and seem out of place when compared to nature and the entire world. This theme is shown with setting, point of view, and symbolism.
The setting is described in two out of four paragraphs of this poem. Half the poem is describes Tu Fu’s location, showing that it is important. The location of the poem gives the reader a feeling of peace and serenity. “By bent grasses in a gentle wind under a straight mast...the stars hang above the broad plain but moon’s afloat in this Great River” (Night Thoughts Afloat, 1-7). This imagery also induces a feeling of loneliness, and clearly Tu Fu also feels this way in this place because he says “I alone tonight” (4), and proceeds to question his purpose in life. The setting gives the reader an image of openness, words like “the broad plain” (5) and “this Great River” show that Tu Fu is viewing a large expanse of nature, that makes him feel insignificant.
Tu Fu’s direct point of view is interesting, because he questions his audience, instead of simply narrating the events of the poem. “Oh, where’s my name among the poets? Official rank?” (8-10) Tu Fu’s questions he voices in his poem show his desire for understanding and his longing for a place in the world. The description “Retired for ill-health” (11) emphasises his state of aloneness, and gives a slight feeling of irony, as if this was not a title Tu Fu bestowed upon himself.
The symbol of the gull also emphasises Tu Fu’s aloneness and insignificance. Gulls are average birds that are seen commonly throughout the world. They are replaceable and not regarded as special. The repetition “Drifting, drifting” brings attention to the question he poses in the last paragraph. “What am I more than a single gull between sky and earth?” (13-15). The setting of “between sky and earth” (15) again emphasises the vastness and overwhelmingness of nature. The word “single” is a third example proving that Tu Fu is a very isolated poet, and that he identifies himself that way. The drifting single gull is a symbol of his uncertainty regarding his place in nature and in society.

This poem gives no answers about Tu Fu’s position among the poets, or his place in nature, and the frequent questions he asks regarding this show that he is trying to understand that himself.

Zoë McCully
Ms. Peifer
Hour 5 10 IB
May 27, 2012

Chinese Literature Assignment

Wang Wei Poems: Suffering from Heat
The dominant impression of this poem is very Buddhist idea that earthly life is full of suffering, and one can find peace once they accept this, because understanding leads to enlightenment. This theme is shown through imagery, repetition, and tone.

Wang Wei uses imagery in this poem to show the bitterness of life. The desolate and unforgiving landscape described supports this. “Grasses and trees are all parched and shriveled; Rivers and swamps, all utterly dried” (Suffering from Heat, 4-5). Even nature suffers on earth, in this poem it is in the form of drought. “In Light white silks I feel that my clothes are heavy; Under dense trees I grieve that the shade is thin. My mat of rushes cannot be approached; My clothes of linen are washed again and again” (6-10). Wang Wei describes his personal suffering in these lines. His clothes are light but feel heavy, showing the oppressive nature of earthly suffering. Wang Wei also says “My mat of rushes cannot be approached” (9) showing that he is unable to sleep because his distress is so great. He feels dirty because no amount of washing can cleanse him of the heaviness he feels from attachment to possessions, which is represented by his clothes. This imagery supports the buddhist idea that suffering comes from attachment to earthly pleasures.

Repetition is used to emphasise Wang Wei’s physical condition. “My clothes of linen are washed again and again” (10) The repetition shows Wang Wei’s unenlightened human condition. The repetition occurs right before the transition to the paragraph describing his desire for enlightenment and peace, forming a sort of climax to the poem.

The tone of this poem is very negative in the first paragraph, but changes to a positive tone in the second paragraph when Wei describes his desire to be cleansed from the troubles of the earth. When he speaks about the freedom of enlightenment he shows his understanding of the buddhist process of enlightenment. The contrasting tones of the two paragraphs show the difference between life on earth and enlightenment and life in Nirvana. The first paragraph describes in detail the features of a land suffering from drought and the second paragraph describes the healing power of water, and how water can restore a dying landscape, or a dying individual. “Rivers and seas would cleanse me of trouble and dirt” (15-16). The “trouble and dirt” he speaks of reference his inability to sleep and his dirty clothes described in the first paragraph. The description of overcrowded “Fiery clouds packed into hills and mountains” (2-3) contrast with the openness he longs for, “I long to escape beyond space and time; In vast emptiness, dwell and alone and apart” (11-12). Another contrast is shown with the heat described in the first paragraph which makes the reader think of Hell. The second paragraph doesn’t speak of heat and fire, but says “I would suddenly enter the Gate of Pleasant Dew and be at ease in the clear, cool joy” (20-21). The imagery of Dew, and the words clear and cool make the reader think of water. The Gate of Pleasant Dew could be interpreted as a gateway to heaven, since the idea heaven could be compared to the Buddhist idea of Nirvana. This supports the contrasting tones of the two paragraphs that emphasise the differences between earth and enlightenment. Wei shows his desire for enlightenment, giving the end of the poem a longing tone, “Then would I find that my body causes suffering; Then would I know that my mind is still unawake” (12-14). This quote is emphasised by the repetition of the words “Then would I” showing that Wang Wei truly desires to achieve enlightenment, and leave a world of drought for a life of peace and ease.

Zoë McCully
Ms. Peifer
10 IB Hour 5
May 26, 2012

Red Cliff Critical Analysis

John Woo’s Red Cliff was a very interesting, action-filled tale of China’s history. The story describes the war that lead to the end of the Han dynasty, between the tyrant prime minister Cao Cao, and the Warlords of the south. When Cao Cao attacks the southlands under the permission for the easily manipulated emperor, the armies of the south for an alliance and find the strength to defeat Cao Cao.
The plot of Red Cliff transferred between moving at a very rapid speed and hardly moving at all giving the film a slightly uneven feel. The scenes flashed from fast paced battles to the art preparing and drinking tea. This change of scenes balanced out the violent scenes with peaceful and beautiful images which and gave the movie lots of variety. The film had many moods that were shown, relating to the social customs and the wars fought. There was a very unique portrayal of the warriors and warlords as larger-than-life incredibly good fighters. While it wasn’t an accurate portrayal, it was very cool to all incredible tricks they could do, and how talented and strong they were. For example, there were many times that a warlord would launch himself through the air and seemingly land light as a feather or defeat dozens of enemies with the swipe of one sword or throw of one spear.

Some things that distracted from the movie and the story were the blood and the lack of introductions for all the characters. The blood used during the battle scenes often seemed like it belonged in a 3D movie, since there seemed to always be drops of a bright red substance flying out from wounded soldiers. The main warlords were not introduced in a way that allowed the viewer to fully understand who they were. There were many different warlords, generals, viceroys, and strategists, and it was very hard to understand who was who, even though they were all very unique characters. The main characters were Sun Quan: a strong southern warlord; Zhou Yu: Sun Quan's advisor and Viceroy of East Wu; Zhuge Liang: Liu Bei's military strategist, who is a very peaceful reserved person; Gan Xing: a General in Sun Quan's army; Zhao Yun: a general in Liu Bei's army; Zhang Fei: a very loud and strong warlord; Cao Cao: the tyrannical Prime Minister of the Han Empire; Sun Shangxiang: Sun Quan’s sister; and Xiao Qiao: Lui Be’s Wife who is said to be the most beautiful woman in China. All the Southerners were very brave and strong warriors, and also very noble and educated. Cao Cao seemed like a good person at first, but it became clear that he was a rude, cruel and overconfident tyrant. At first it was difficult to distinguish who was bad and who was good, but this became clear as the film progressed. Once all the characters appeared it was understandable that the Southerners were forming an alliance against Cao Cao who was a cruel and tyrannical Prime Minister of China.

There were many things that contributed to the beauty of the film, and made it enjoyable to watch. Many Daoist beliefs relating to nature and respect for the environment were expressed in this film. The southern warlords utilized nature's power, and respected the environment which gave them an advantage against Cao Cao. They studied the skies and the wind and this helped them win a battle with fire. Another time they utilized a fog to steal arrows from the generals of Cao Cao’s army. They pulled a very clever trick by covering all their boats with hay, and as their enemies fired at will they acquired an enormous amount of arrows. They also used their educations to defeat Cao Cao. One of the warlords Lui Be, was very skilled at replicating handwriting, and he sent a false note with an enemy spy that caused Cao Cao to murder the generals of his navy, so he no longer had anyone to control his fleet. Lui Be also respected music, and this was shown when he asked a boy from Red Cliff for his flute when his army was doing drills. It seemed as if he was going to break the flute, but he used a knife to carve the holes bigger, so that it made a purer more beautiful sound. There were many scenes where the warlords would sit together and drink tea and play oriental instruments, and celebrate their accomplishments. Many good messages related to friendship and respect were shown through the alliance and the tactics the southerners used. Many told the southerners that they would become enemies once the war was over, but they all respected one another and this was not the case. Friendship was also shown through Sun Shangxiang who was Sun Quan’s sister, when she infiltrated Cao Cao’s camp as a spy and befriended one of Cao Cao’s soldiers called Pit. They were able to have a very sweet friendship, even though they were in the middle of a war and fighting for different sides. The southerners showed humanity when Cao Cao sent over boatloads of dead soldiers killed by typhoid. Instead of destroying and mutilating their enemies bodies, they respectfully cremated all of them. Instead of rejoicing in the death of some of Cao Cao’s army, they solemnly mourned the loss of life. This showed that they were truly good people, while Cao Cao fought in a way that was dirty, and disrespectful, the southern warlords regarded war as an art. This was shown when they based one of their strategies off of the way a turtle’s shell looks, it was simple but very effective. Sun Quan, and Zhang Fei, two of the main warlords lead their soldiers to victory by observing nature and using wisdom and cleverness despite Cao Cao’s larger armies. The southerners also respect women more than Cao Cao does. Cao Cao started the war so that he could have Lui Be’s Wife, Xiao Qiao and she eventually tricks him and causes his downfall.
Overall Red Cliff was a very good film. The war scenes and violent battles could have been much shorter, but were exciting and interesting. It was incredible to see the advanced technology used in the battles, but there were also some things that clearly just for entertainment, and were not accurate. The imagery in this movie was extremely scenic and beautiful, and Red Cliff gave me glimpse into how incredible the history of China is.

Critical Analysis of HVE's Macbeth

Zoë McCully
Ms. Piefer
10 IB Hour 5
April 9, 2012

Home Vision Entertainment’s production of Macbeth, directed by Michael Bogdanov, produced by Sue Pritchard is a very well done film adaptation of the play. The film format gives the play a much different, and more pleasant feel, than when it is performed on stage.

The setting is the first indication of the contrast between the two production methods. While a stage may look and feel like a dark confining box, the film version feels expansive and open, due to all the images of cliffs, green fields, and lakes shown. The use of outdoor scenery was very effective because the outdoors provide a depth and height to the story that is not present on a sometimes claustrophobic stage. The lighting in the film was also very different than that of the play. Instead of all but two scenes being performed in darkness, the film lighting was very bright. Many scenes of the movie took place directly outside where there was always natural light, which is much brighter than the stage lighting in the play. The sky, though cloudy and gray, provided bright lighting. The only scenes shot in darkness were Duncan’s and Banquo’s murder and Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene. The darkness in these scenes emphasised their importance to the plot. Strangely enough the witch’s scenes were shot outside in the light. The effect of this was they seemed less frightening than they did in a play that accompanied them with flashing strobe lights and darkness. The bright lighting in the witch’s scenes removed the evil and dark portrayal the play provided for them.

The film version of The text in the film Macbeth was left in the original Elizabethan speech, but the rest of Macbeth was thoroughly modernized, and this was shown through costumes, setting, and props including weaponry and automobiles. The modernization was very effective because it was very easy to perceive that the play was taking place in a setting similar to that of world war one or two, but on a much smaller, more remote scale. It was unambiguous that the costumes were modern, and several examples are the witches wearing Nike tennis shoes and leg warmers, Banquo wearing a beret, several characters wearing motorcycle goggles, trench coats, camouflage hunting jackets, formal suits, dresses, and sunglasses. The costumes were very effective in creating a military or formal banquet setting, and effectively modernizing the film version of Macbeth. Many machine guns and pistols were used as weapons, and for transportation old fashioned motorcycles, military jeeps and even a barge show the technology and modernization of the film.

Despite the effective setting and costumes, the visual effects used in the movie were very poorly done, which may have had something to do with the movies publication being in 2004. The only time effects were used were in the witch’s scenes, so they felt like a big joke, instead of feeling important to the plot. The witch’s seemed to disappear by rising into the air and turning to shreds of paper that blew away with the wind. The movie was in color, but the cauldron scene was in black and white, the only color was the comical flame rising from their large industrial tub of a cauldron. When they would throw an unknown substance or pour something from a bottle into their tub a very fake looking explosion would fill the screen and a very odd looking apparition doll figure would appear. This part of Macbeth was supposed to be a gruesome and dark scene, but again it was completely comical. It was hard to hear the dialogue over the laughter brought on by of the apparition scene. Even though poor effects botched all the witch’s scenes, excellent acting compensated in much of the rest of the play.

Another completely ineffective part of the film was the soundtrack. The music head was Tot Taylor, who did a very poor job at choosing music appropriate for such a dark, tragic film. Many transitions between scenes were filled with an upbeat drumming dance track, that sounded similar to a song assembled on garageband. The music sounded neither Scottish, dark, or tragic, three things that Macbeth is. At time there was darker orchestral music playing, but mostly the music used was ineffective because it distracted from the film.

The casting director Carolyn Bartlett did an good job choosing strong actors that portrayed their characters very well. Macbeth, played by Sean Pertween, was a very strong character, as was Lady Macbeth (Greta Scacchi). Macbeth did a very good job in the scenes where he saw things no one else could. His convincing performance helped the viewers suspend their disbelief in the scene with the invisible dagger, and also with Banquo’s ghost. In the scene with the ghost Macbeth becomes completely unhinged, and leaps on the table and fire his pistol at the ghost, which immediately disappears. Pertween’s intensity in this scene enhances Macbeth’s emotions and shows his guilty mental state. It also takes the scene to a higher level of drama, which is shown by the Lords and Ladies curled up in corners, cowering in front of Macbeth who has clearly become a tyrant. Lady Macbeth is also a very strong character and Scacchi is very effective in being a curt and controlling character. Her scenes are briefer than in the play, which helps her portray the strength of her character even though she is not the focal point of the film.

Even though they are strong and distinct characters, the castle they live in does not portray the strength of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to a decent extent. In fact it lessens their appearance as powerful political figures because the castle they live in resembles a warehouse more than anything else. It is a large brick building that is in quite a state of disrepair. The paint on the walls is peeling and there are dusty shards of bricks covering the floors. The ceilings are low and the pipes throughout the building have not been covered. There are metal stairs that lead up to doors on the outside of the building that resemble scaffolding used in construction, and even the windows seem to all be smashed in, with nothing but broken shards of glass protruding from their cracked and peeling wooden frames. There is a moat running under the building, and there are several chain link gates locked with chains and padlocks, shown in the porter’s scene. This portrayal of the castle is not effective because distracts from Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s hierarchy and high status, since it is so surprising that they are living in such a run down residence.

Since this is a film the camera and actual recording of the movie plays an important part in accurately presenting Macbeth. The camera recording does a wonderful job presenting Macbeth, because the entire film is aesthetically pleasing and  the only moment of ineffective filming is during the standoff between Macbeth and Macduff. The camera circles around the two men as they hold guns in each other’s faces and have their final conversation. The spinning of the camera is ineffective because it continues for so long that it distracts from the scene. It only stops when Macbeth fires his gun at Macduff. This scene is very interesting because of the way the film portrays Macbeth’s death. When Macbeth fires his machine gun at Banquo there is an empty click and he realises he is out of bullets. The two begin wrestling and eventually Macduff reaches his gun and shoots Macbeth. They way this scene plays out makes it seem like Macduff defeats Macbeth by luck, because Macbeth is clearly the stronger of the two and has a larger gun as well. There is a slight bias toward Macbeth, because is never truly portrayed as a tyrant, and he never really seems like a bad person, just mislead and violent. At Macbeth’s death Malcolm is hailed king and the film ends.

In conclusion the Home Vision Entertainment film version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth was very well done. The outdoor setting, natural lighting, effective modernization of costumes, strong cast, and professional camera work all made the film very aesthetically pleasing and accurately portrayed Macbeth. The visual effects, soundtrack, and aspects of the setting like Macbeth’s rundown residence, all distracted from the rest of the film. Overall it was a very satisfactory and enjoyable film version of the play Macbeth.

Critical Analysis of Folger's Macbeth

Zoë McCully

Ms. Piefer

10 IB Hour 5

April 1, 2012

Macbeth Critical Review Essay

Teller and Aaron Posner’s slightly modernized adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth, performed at Folgers Theater, had many flaws and felt as if it had been half-heartedly modernized. The costumes were distracting, the effects felt overused and tacky, and many of the actors portrayed the characters ineffectively or seemed wrong for the part.

The concept of a “modern Macbeth” did not come through in this adaptation of the play. The idea was poorly expressed because the only modernized prop was the costumes, and even those barely showed modernization. At the very beginning scene several of the Lords, and Macbeth are wearing quarter-zip sweaters, kilts, long socks, leather lace-up boots and thick belts with swords attached. These costumes are bad because the use of zippers distracts the audience from the rest of the scene. The directors could have used sweaters with buttons or nothing on them at all and this would have made the scene much clearer for the audience, because there would be no tiny details drawing their attention away from the play. Later in the play during the banquet scene the Lords enter wearing white button down shirts and long kilts. The shirts give a formal feel to the banquet, but when worn with a very earthy looking kilts they create a comic outfit. Another comic moment was when Macbeth put on his “armor” and a loud ripping sound was heard as he velcroed on his gloves, which were the extent of his battle-wear.

Lady Macbeth’s costume is another that feels half-heartedly modernized. Her hairstyle is the most confusing because it is short, blonde, and looks completely modern. The style takes away the “Royal Queen of Scotland” look that her character should have. Her dress is bright pink and purple, but the style is very dull and not medieval because it has a slit up the leg.

The thugs and murderers also stand out because they are the only characters in the whole play that wear pants; which are more specifically dark colored jeans. The pants clash with the kilts that all the other male characters wear because it is weird to see both styles onstage at the same time. The thugs also wear black hats, and leather jackets with grey hoodie sweatshirts underneath, making their costumes the most modern of all.

To contrast the many bad costumes, a costume done well was Duncan’s. He wore long blue robes, with a loose white shirt underneath. The purpose of the color and the length was to give him a royal look, and this was very effective. Macbeth also donned a longer robe when he became king, so the length of the costume helped show his change in status. Overall it was not effective to have modern costumes in a play that used shakespearean language, because instead of adding substance to the play, it was distracting.

Effects were used to create an eerie atmosphere on stage, but they were used so frequently that it began to feel tacky and annoying. Two overused effects were high-pitched bell noises and fake blood. Every time a door closed, a character delivered an ominous line, a ghost appeared or someone died, a creepy, high-pitched bell sound would be heard. This would have been fine, had these occurrences not made up the majority of the play; which meant obnoxious bells were sounding incessantly. Fake blood was also used extremely often. Almost every scene included a character covered in fake blood. Banquo’s murder was a very bloody scene, and so was the appearance of his ghost. The most excessive use of fake blood is during Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene. She actually covers herself in blood, dripping it all over her face, arms, and dress. The blood was a very bright shiny red, and if it had looked more genuine, the scene would have been very dark and gruesome; instead it was very strange to watch, because Lady’ Macbeth looked as if she was going crazy while covered in paint. Another unnecessary use of fake blood was when Lady Macbeth died. Seyton came in with blood on his hand, and then Macbeth smeared Seyton’s bloody hand on his own face. It was a very strange action, and did not seem to add anything to the play. The witches also poured blood on Macbeth’s face before his death, but this was an effective use of blood because they were on a higher level of the stage, so it had a very dark feel to it. Overall, blood was used so often that it became an ineffective way to express violence, and it began to feel tacky.

An effect that seemed to enhance the production was the lighting. The lighting was always dim and never distracted from the performance itself. Strobe lights were occasionally used as transitions in between scenes, or when characters like the witches appeared. The strobe lights added a feeling of chaos and darkness to the play and were tolerable because they were only used a few times, unlike the other effects.

In this adaptation of Macbeth there were several actors that embodied their character very well, and many that seemed like they were playing the wrong part. Lady Macbeth was one of the latter. She was played by Kate Eastwood Norris, who was an older woman who portrayed Lady Macbeth as very clingy and controlling. She delivered her lines in a way that was hard to take seriously because she was trying too hard to be dramatic. She was always stroking Macbeth, and gripping him the same way a bird grips their prey in their talons. From the very beginning of the play she appeared to have no self control because she threw herself at Macbeth every time they were together on stage. Because she was pretty old her behavior seemed inaccurate for her character. Macbeth was played by Ian Merrill Peakes and he and Norris did not do a good job portraying Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship. They made their love appear purely physical and did not emphasize the emotional connection between them. Peakes and Norris spent so much time on stage, usually together, that it became very dull to watch them. Neither of them had any “devilish charm” that should accompany a villain; and this made it difficult for the audience to truly care about their characters. Their performances began to feel drab, because the style of their speech never changed, and their lustful interactions were the same every time they entered the stage.

Macduff was played by Cody Nickel, who did a good job portraying Macduff as a hero fighting for the good of his country and family. Macduff was a welcome difference from Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s constant flirting and plotting. Nickel did a very good job of showing Macduff as a character of integrity and strength. Nickel reacted accurately to the tragedy of his family’s death and to Malcolm’s testing. He was furious at Malcolm before he learned that he was being tricked, but he then forgave Malcolm immediately. He grieved his family when they were slaughtered and also did a good job portraying his vengeful spirit, which was shown in his battle with Macbeth.

Malcolm was played by Scott Kens, who also did a very good job portraying Malcolm’s character accurately. He did a good job in the scene where he tests Macduff’s loyalty, at first appearing to be a disgusting person, but then revealing himself as the noble and pure character he really is. Kens seemed to suit the character of Malcolm, because he had a youthfulness about him the was beneficial to Malcolm’s lack experience with women, and he also had a kindness to him that he used when he comforted Macduff. Kens portrayed Malcolm as a leader that deserved support, because of his bravery and kindness. His contrast to the performance of Norris and Peakes made him an especially lovable character, even if he did not spend a huge amount of time on stage.

The witches were also very interesting characters. Strangely, they were played by three men. They had very deep voices and did a good job portraying the witches as very mysterious and devilish creatures, but it was strange that they were not played by women. They were also wearing very gruesome masks, and large torn dresses, with dark accessories, like a hangman’s noose. The witches wore the most elaborate costumes, which added to their performance and dominant stage presence as well. Through the use of song, the witches caldron scene was one of the best scenes in the entire play. Drums were played as the witches chanted their lines to a tune, and this gave a very accurate dark, pagan feel to the witch’s scenes.

Overall, Teller and Aaron Posner’s adaptation of Macbeth was tolerable, but not necessarily good. For everything that could be viewed as ineffective, there was usually something else to cancel it out and make the play bearable.

Beowulf Commentary

“In off the moors, down through the mist bands/God-cursed Grendel came greedily loping./The bane of the race of men roamed forth,/hunting for a prey in the high hall./ Under the cloud-murk he moved towards it/until it shone above him, a sheer keep/of fortified gold. Nor was that the first time/he had scouted the grounds of Hrothgar's dwelling—/although never in his life, before or since,/did he find harder fortune or hall-defenders./Spurned and joyless, he journeyed on ahead/and arrived at the bawn. The iron-braced door/turned on its hinge when his hands touched it./Then his rage boiled over, he ripped open/the mouth of the building, maddening for blood,/pacing the length of the patterned floor/with his loathsome tread, while a baleful light,/flame more than light, flared from his eyes./He saw many men in the mansion, sleeping,/a ranked company of kinsmen and warriors/quartered together. And his glee was demonic.”
- Beowulf lines 710 - 730

In the story Beowulf, lines 710 to 730, the dominant impression given in the text is that Grendel is a creature representing all that is evil, while the people of Hrothgar’s hall represent goodness. The fight between these characters in the story represents the constant struggle between the forces of good and evil, and shows how good will triumph in the end. Lines 710 to 730 describe the situation before the final battle between Beowulf and Grendel, where Beowulf defeats Grendel.

The character Grendel is described as “God-cursed” (Beowulf line 711), “the bane of the race of men” (712), and “spurned and joyless” (720). He is the embodiment of evil, destruction, and malice, coming to destroy the hall and all those within it. The emphasis on Grendel’s evil character is a comparison to the goodness of the people of Hrothgar’s dwelling. The contrast between Hrothgar’s warriors and Grendel shows that evil preys on goodness, but goodness will triumph in the end. It shows the chosen people in their goodness have the strength to defend themselves against the lone evil bent on destroying them, because their community and numbers protect them. 

Evidence supporting the community of the chosen people is shown with the literary device of repetition. The description of men plural is used several times, showing how they stand together. They are called “hall-defenders” (719), “many men” (728), “a ranked company of kinsmen” (729) and “warriors quartered together” (729-730) These descriptions emphasize the identity of a chosen group of people, and not the warriors as individuals, the way Grendel is shown. The hall is described as good and strong, the same way the men are. A “high hall” (713) “It shone above him, a sheer keep of fortified gold” (715-716) Imagery is used to describe the building as having a mouth, that Grendel rips open. Personification shows that the hall building rebukes Grendel’s touch and the door to the hall swings open as if shying away from him, such is the contrast between good and evil, shown in this next quote. “The iron-braced door turned on its hinge when his hands touched it.” (721-722)

There is foreshadowing used to show that Grendel will eventually be defeated and will not succeed in defeating Hrothgar’s kin. “Nor was that the first time he had scouted the grounds of Hrothgar’s dwelling - although never in his life, before of since, did he find harder fortune or hall-defenders.” (718-719) This quote makes it clear that Grendel will never terrorize the people of the hall again. Grendel’s negative attitude also shows he is destined to fail. “Spurned and joyless, he journeyed on ahead and arrived at the bawn” (720-721) When the door to the hall swings open as if shying away from Grendel’s touch, Grendel becomes furious. “Then his rage boiled over, he ripped open the mouth of the building, maddening for blood, pacing the length of the patterned floor with his loathsome tread.” (723-726) These quotes show the negative connotations associated with Grendel and evil in general: anger, rage, and being a despicable, loathsome creature. Grendel lusts for blood, to the extent that he is driven to madness and this is expanded on by describing him pacing the floor in distress. The next quote tells that Grendel has a flame of destruction in his eyes, when he sees all the sleeping men in the mansion. “A baleful light, flame more than light, flared from his eyes.” (726-727) This descriptive imagery shows even the light in Grendel’s eyes was not pure, and it represents the negativity associated with evil. The quote, “And his glee was demonic.” shows how he took joy in all things evil. It is the concluding evidence for what a terrible creature he is, for a creature who takes joy in evil is truly evil themselves. Ironically it is his happiness described as being demonic, though he himself really is a demon.

The dominant impression of lines 710 to 730 in the story Beowulf is of the fight between good and evil, where good triumphs in the end. This impression of the contrast between the two forces is supported by the literary devises of repetition, imagery, foreshadowing and personification. These devices help support the idea that while evil will always prey on good, there will be retribution and justice in the end.

Antigone Final Draft: Creon -- Guilty

Creon is rightfully guilty of the deaths of Antigone, Haemon, Eurydice, and of denying Polyneices a proper burial. Creon was blinded by his anger towards Polyneices, too prideful to forgive Antigone for her crime, and too stubborn and thoughtless to listen to Haemon or heed his warning. Creon’s rash actions caused the tragedy of his wife and son's suicides in the play Antigone. 
After hearing Terisias’s prophecy Creon decided Antigone should be freed. “Alas—it’s difficult. But I’ll give up. I’ll not do what I’d set my heart upon. It’s not right to fight against necessity” (Sophocles line 1236-1238). Since Creon did not act in time, Antigone killed herself. 
This was the first of many deaths. “Chorus Leader: [about Haemon] At his father’s hand? Or did he kill himself? Messenger: By his own hand––angry at his father for the murder” (line 1309-1310). Haemon’s suicide was a thoughtless response to Antigone’s death. When Eurydice also committed suicide Creon cries, “Alas for me . . . the guilt for all of this is mine––it can never be removed from me or passed to any other mortal man. I murdered you [Eurydice]. . . I speak the truth. Hurry and lead me off, get me away from here, for now what I am in life is nothing” (line 1463-1469).
Creon's foolishness led these things to happen to his family. By the end, he had nothing to live for. “Messenger: Creon was once a man we all looked up to. He saved the state, from its enemies. He took control and reigned as its sole king—and prospered with the birth of noble children. Now all is gone. For when a man has lost what gives him pleasure, I don’t include him among the living—he’s a breathing corpse” (line 1452-1459)
Creon, being guilty of so many deaths, felt he was better off dead. “I’ve learned it in my pain...the wretched agony of human life” (line 1417-1423).

Source: Sophocles, Antigone (e-text)